Design Instructor

Company: Digital NEST

About Us: Digital NEST is a workforce development center that empowers youth from working-class, farmworker communities to develop the technical and professional skills they need to achieve their dreams. We are a dynamic organization focused on growth and expansion to five communities across the Monterey Bay and San Joaquin Valley Regions in Northern California.

Job Overview: We are seeking a highly motivated and experienced Design Instructor to support the growth of our Digital Arts & Technology (DAT) pathway. This role entails developing and implementing training for the Design Concentration and instructing youth aged 14-24 in technical and professional skills development for the Design concentration.

Responsibilities:

• Program Development and Delivery (60%):
  • Plan and execute yearly programs in the Design concentration for the DAT pathway that can scale across all Digital NEST centers.
  • Create, develop and implement Design curriculum in alignment with industry standards.
  • Teach educational programs to train members in Web Design (60%), Graphic Design (40%); using your design principles and a variety of digital tools.
  • Facilitate Design trainings to support youth in developing foundational skills in the field of Design.
  • Develop competency in the NEST-Ed Professional Skills curriculum and teach NEST-Ed professional skills to DAT youth members, program participants and job trainees.
  • Assess the training outcomes of trainees and document and report this progress in writing.
  • Track member engagement and career pathway goals throughout the year.
• Recruitment and Member Engagement (30%):
  • Build relationships with teachers and counselors at high schools and community colleges, as well as community leaders, to identify potential members interested in DAT and Digital NEST Programs.
  • Identify prospective participants and cultivate member engagement in the DAT Program; maintain a student information system to track member participation and engagement.
  • Collaborate with the Gilroy Hub team and DAT Pathway team to develop and execute youth outreach activities.
  • Conduct low barrier, entry Design workshops to expose youth to the design concentration and create interest in the DAT pathway.
• Key Member of the Digital NEST Program Team (10%):
  • Represent the NEST in a professional, constructive and compelling manner to stakeholders at meetings, on social media, at public events and in media products or written publications.
  • Provide general support to fundraising efforts expected of all staff: showcase members and member work, speak articulately about programming and be a model representative and evangelist for Digital NEST in the community.
  • Follow organizational policies and procedures.

Qualifications:

• The equivalent of three years' worth of formal experience in Web Design or Graphic Design; alternatively a bachelor degree or industry certification in Web Design or Graphic Design with the addition of a formal portfolio.
• At least 1 year of experience teaching or working with youth using culturally responsive experiential learning pedagogies and instructional methods.
• Demonstrated ability to connect positively with youth aged 14-24; a positive, energetic and authentic presence.
• Ability to effectively communicate with manager and coworkers across all departments.
• Ability to take initiative and ownership in regards to time management of assigned tasks.
• Demonstrated problem-solving skills.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bilingual/Biliterate English and Spanish

Requirements:

• Passion for the mission of Digital NEST and belief in upholding organization's core values.
• Understanding of and sensitivity to issues of culture/ethnicity/race, gender, sexual identity, class/SES and immigration status.
• Ability to be an ally to people of color, women and lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning and intersex individuals and their allies (LGBTQIA).

About Our Benefits: We take a holistic approach to wellness, physical, emotional, and financial. Our comprehensive benefits package includes:

• 100% Agency Paid Medical, Dental, Vision, and Life Insurance for the employee
• SIMPLE IRA Retirement Benefit with up to 2% employer match
• 10 Paid Vacation Days for Full-time Employees (non-Director and non-Chief positions)
• 15 Paid Vacation Days for Full-time Employees (Director and Chief positions)
• 13 Paid Holidays Annually Plus Business closure/holiday the week between Christmas Day and New Years Day
• Paid Sick Time Off
• Annual Parking Permit
• Professional Development Opportunities
• Flexible Work Schedule

We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.